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🎙️ Podcast Summary

In this episode of The Security Circle Podcast, we are joined by Nicholas Wright, neuroscientist, former Pentagon advisor, and author of Warhead: How the Brain Shapes War and War Shapes the Brain.

Nicholas brings a rare perspective that connects neuroscience, human behaviour, and global conflict—exploring how the most powerful weapon in any war is not technology, but the human brain.

From decision-making under pressure to the role of fear, reward, and perception, we unpack why conflict is not just political or technological—it is deeply human. Nicholas explains how our brains are wired for both cooperation and confrontation, and why misunderstanding, bias, and emotion continue to shape the outcomes of wars past and present.

We also explore the difference between the nature of war, which remains constant, and the character of war, which continues to evolve through technology, AI, and modern strategy.

This episode challenges conventional thinking and offers a powerful reminder: if we want to understand the future of conflict, we must first understand ourselves.

Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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Get in Touch! Eva’s Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/evabenn/

www.evabenn.com

https://www.youtube.com/@evabennofficial

https://www.instagram.com/evabennofficial/

https://www.tiktok.com/@evabennofficial

Bio:

Eva Benn is a Principal Security Program Manager for the Microsoft Security and Response center. Eva has spent more of her security in red teaming and penetration testing, both as a people leader and hands-on practitioner. Before joining Microsoft, she worked in Big 4 cybersecurity consulting, leading global penetration testing and cybersecurity initiatives across various industries. She is a globally recognized security leader, holding an extensive list of industry certifications, including CISSP, CEH, CCSP, Security+, GSEC, GCIH, GSTRT, GPEN, GWAPT, GRTP, etc. As an international keynote speaker, Eva is known for her disruptive thinking, unconventional storytelling, and high-energy stage presence. She has a unique ability to break down complex security challenges into captivating, actionable insights that inspire audiences worldwide. She frequently speaks on topics such as red teaming, cyber threat simulation, adversarial tactics, and the future of cyber defense. Eva’s presentations challenge conventional wisdom, offering fresh approaches on how to outpace attackers and rethink security in an AI-driven world. Beyond her work at Microsoft, Eva is deeply involved in the security community, having served/serving on the leadership boards of the OWASP for LLM Project, OWASP Seattle Chapter, WiCyS Western Washing

Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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Dr Carl Gibson’s career is nothing short of extraordinary — a journey that spans science, national security, aviation, government strategy, academia, and frontline emergency response.

In this episode, Carl takes us from his early beginnings in the north of England, through military service as an army officer and time spent in policing, before pursuing a PhD in neuropathology. His scientific career led him to Australia, where he headed a disease investigation and research unit, working on complex outbreaks including insect-borne viruses, a mass blindness event in kangaroos, and a large-scale marine die-off affecting pilchards. His work brought him into collaboration with global organisations including the Centers for Disease Control and the Institut Pasteur, and into direct briefings with government ministers and senior leadership.

From there, Carl transitioned into government, taking on a senior role in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, leading strategy, planning, and contributing to national security efforts at a state level. He then moved into the aviation sector, holding an executive position with Australia’s second-largest airline, where he led risk management, crisis management, emergency management, and business continuity.

His career continued into regulatory leadership as a senior executive within a health and safety regulator, before moving into higher education as Deputy Chief Operating Officer at a major university, where he spent over a decade in senior leadership roles. Today, Carl operates as a consultant, bringing together decades of cross-sector expertise.

Alongside this remarkable professional journey, Carl has spent over 35 years as an active volunteer firefighter with the Country Fire Authority in Australia. Rising to the role of lieutenant and training officer, he has led teams on the frontline of some of the most dangerous bushfire environments in the world, including serving as an incident controller. Firefighting is not just his role, but a family commitment — his wife serves as a brigade captain, and all three of his children have followed the same path into emergency service and healthcare professions.

This episode is not just a story of roles and titles — it is a masterclass in lived experience. Carl shares powerful insights on risk, resilience, climate variability, leadership under pressure, and the reality of decision-making when theory gives way to real-world consequences.

From laboratories to government cabinets, from airline crisis rooms to burning fire lines, Carl Gibson’s story is a reminder that true expertise is built not in isolation — but in action, over time, and often under pressure.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-carl-a-gibson-2a26882/

Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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Summary

This week on The Security Circle Podcast, Yolanda sits down with Anna Rowe, founder of Catch the Catfish and co-founder of LoveSaid, to expose the hidden reality of romance fraud.

What starts as connection quickly becomes manipulation.

From love bombing and trauma bonding to financial exploitation and psychological control, Anna shares her personal experience and the patterns she now sees every day supporting victims and working with law enforcement and banks.

This isn’t just about scams.

It’s about human vulnerability, behavioural manipulation, and systemic failure.

Together, they explore:

• Why romance fraud is increasing despite “platform protections”
• How criminals exploit psychology, not just technology
• The failure of big tech and the unintended consequences of automation
• Why victims are still being blamed — and why that must change
• The role of banks, platforms, and regulation in stopping this crime

This episode will change how you think about trust, identity, and digital safety.

Because this isn’t just fraud.

It’s manipulation at scale.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-rowe-95323753/

Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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🎙️ Why Is Security by Design Still an Afterthought?

The Security Circle Podcast with Pablo Breuer

Security leaders have been talking about “security by design” for years. The principle is simple: build security into systems, technology, and processes from the very beginning — not bolt it on once the damage is already done.

So why does it still so often arrive too late?

In this episode of The Security Circle Podcast, host Yolanda “Yoyo” Hamblen is joined by cybersecurity strategist and former U.S. Navy Information Warfare officer Pablo Breuer for a candid conversation about the gap between security theory and real-world implementation.

Drawing on experience across military information warfare, cyber defence, and enterprise security, Pablo explores why organisations continue to treat security as a compliance exercise rather than a design principle. From technology innovation racing ahead of governance, to the growing threat of disinformation and influence operations, the discussion highlights how the modern threat landscape demands a far more integrated approach to security thinking.

Together they explore:

• Why security by design often struggles to gain traction inside organisations
• The cultural and leadership barriers that keep security on the sidelines
• How influence operations and information warfare are changing the security landscape
• Why protecting systems is no longer enough — people and perception are now part of the attack surface
• What it really takes to embed security into innovation, strategy, and decision-making

This episode challenges a difficult question for every organisation:

If we all agree security should be built in from the start…

Why do we still treat it as an afterthought?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablobreuer/

Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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The SIA Update: What’s Changing in 2026 (And Why It Matters)

The regulatory landscape of UK security is shifting — and 2026 could be a defining year.

In this exclusive return to The Security Circle, Michelle Russell, CEO of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), shares a major update on the direction of travel for the regulator and the wider industry.

From a landmark move under the Security Minister’s portfolio to the implementation of Martyn’s Law, the SIA is preparing for one of the most significant expansions of its remit since its creation.

But this episode goes beyond headlines.

We explore:

• The move from “binary compliance” to judging quality
• Why 98% compliance still demands stronger enforcement
• Operation Resolute and tackling training malpractice
• The future of business licensing — voluntary and potentially mandatory
• How public trust and protective security are being redefined

This is not just about regulation.
It’s about raising standards.
It’s about visibility.
It’s about cultural change.

If you work in security — whether frontline, leadership or procurement — this conversation will shape how you think about the next five years.

2026 isn’t just another year.
It’s a pivot point.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-russell-2938991b/

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🎙️ Podcast Summary

The Security Institute: Standards, Leadership, and the Future of the Profession
with Sarah Austerberry (CEO) and Julie Nel (Chair)

In this episode of the Security Circle Podcast, Yolanda Hamblen is joined by Sarah Austerberry, CEO of the Security Institute, and Julie Nel, Chair of the Institute, for a candid discussion about professional standards, leadership under pressure, and the evolving maturity of the security industry.

This is not a conversation about labels. It’s a conversation about leadership, credibility, and the long game of building a profession.

Raising the Standard of Security

At its core, the Security Institute exists to professionalise the industry. That means:

• Validated professional grades
• Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
• Cross-sector collaboration (public, private, government, military)
• Active engagement in policy and standards

Unlike more niche associations, the Institute positions itself as a broad, cross-disciplinary body. Whether you’re front line, intelligence, risk, cyber, protective security, academia or consultancy, there’s a place within its structure.

The key differentiator? Validation and accountability.
Professional grades are assessed. CPD is expected. Standards are upheld.

For employers and clients, that matters.

From Membership to Leadership

Julie reflects on her journey from member to Chair — and the reality of driving change within a long-established institution.Her focus has been simple: modernise perception, increase collaboration, and ensure the Institute reflects the industry as it exists today — not as it was perceived years ago.That hasn’t been without resistance.But leadership, as she makes clear, means absorbing pressure, holding course, and staying aligned to the long-term mission rather than short-term noise.

It’s a frank reminder that influence roles require resilience — and sometimes thick skin. The CEO Perspective: Decision-Making Under Pressure- Sarah offers valuable insight for senior leaders.

Stepping into the CEO role, she highlights a critical lesson:

Her approach:

• Build strong internal teams
• Use trusted external networks
• Test hypotheses before committing to decisions
• Recognise that leadership is not a solo act

Sarah frames change not as disruption, but as opportunity — when it is purposeful, proportionate, and clearly communicated.

Julie reinforces the reality that driving institutional change can be uncomfortable — especially when challenging legacy perceptions — but avoiding change is riskier.

Security, as a profession, cannot afford stagnation.

Imposter Syndrome Reframed

The discussion also touches on “imposter syndrome” — but reframed in practical terms.

Instead of seeing it as weakness, it’s positioned as a signal:

• You are stretching.
• You are outside your comfort zone.
• You are growing.

For leaders and emerging professionals alike, that’s a powerful shift in mindset.

Community, Network, and the Long Game

Perhaps the most compelling takeaway is the emphasis on community.

The Institute’s value is not just accreditation — it’s access:

• 40+ years of collective experience in one room
• Public and private sector cross-pollination
• Mentorship and servant leadership
• Informal peer support when leadership gets heavy

Security can be isolating at senior levels. Membership bodies — when functioning properly — remove that isolation.

Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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🎙 Podcast Summary

The War We’re Already In: Intelligence, Identity, and the Fight for Critical Thinking

In this episode of The Security Circle Podcast, Yoyo sits down with Dr. Gustav A. Otto — an internationally recognised national security, defence, and strategic intelligence leader with more than 30 years of experience across HUMINT, counterintelligence, defence operations, and international security cooperation

Gus’s career spans sensitive operations in conflict zones, Five Eyes security collaboration, and senior advisory roles shaping national security governance. Today, through his advisory firm, he translates high-level intelligence lessons into practical leadership tools for security professionals operating under pressure.

But this conversation isn’t about war stories.

It’s about something far more immediate.

We are no longer living in a world of clearly defined peace.

We are operating in the space between peace and war — where conflict is hybrid, psychological, and increasingly cognitive.

Together, we explore:

• How hybrid warfare is reshaping the modern threat landscape
• Why misinformation and identity politics are destabilising trust
• The role of emotional intelligence in national security leadership
• The hidden psychological cost of service, trauma, and guilt
• Why critical thinking may be the most important resilience strategy of our time

Gus reflects candidly on failure, grace under pressure, and the importance of suspending judgment in culturally complex environments — from Middle Eastern deployments to high-stakes intelligence roles.

He shares the philosophy that now anchors his leadership approach — the “Otto Motto”:

Be a good example. Help the people. Make the world a better place.

In a world where narratives are weaponised and belonging can override reasoning, this episode challenges listeners to think differently about security.

Because the war we’re already in isn’t just about territory.

It’s about truth.

It’s about identity.

And it’s about whether we can think clearly enough to protect both.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustav-otto/

Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers